Should they stay or should they go: Breaking down the Dolphins’ tough roster decisions

With 2010 finally in our rearview mirror, and the Dolphins’ just-completed season nothing anyone really wants to remember, it’s time to start looking ahead to 2011.

As in every offseason, the Dolphins will have a handful of tough personnel decisions. In today’s Post, we broke down the roster, position-by-position, to determine which players are likely to return, which are “on the bubble” and which players are likely to move on.

Let’s take a closer look today at some of those tough decisions, and determine if it makes sense for the player to return to the Dolphins next year, or if both sides should be looking for other options. We won’t look at EVERY bubble decision, but all of the major ones.

QUARTERBACK

Chad PenningtonWhy he should return: The Dolphins still need a veteran presence in the quarterbacks room, and no one’s better than Pennington, who serves as a second coach. And if he wants to try to come back from a fourth shoulder surgery, who’s going to stop him?

Why he shouldn’t return: Sometimes, it’s best to know when to call it quits. Pennington’s shoulder fell out of place on his first snap of the season, and he was barely hit on the play. And the Dolphins, who have serious quarterback issues, can’t depend on Pennington anymore. They need two able-bodied quarterbacks to complement Chad Henne.

Verdict: God speed to Pennington if he wants to return, but the Dolphins need someone more dependable, even for a third quarterback. But make sure to find a role for him somewhere on the team, likely as some sort of assistant offensive coach, because he’s too valuable in the locker room and in meeting rooms to simply kick to the curb.

Tyler ThigpenWhy he should return: With Henne seemingly playing his way out of a job in 2010, maybe this is finally the chance Thigpen has been waiting for. And with owner Stephen Ross telling Tony Sparano to open up the offense next year, maybe that includes the use of a scrambling quarterback who likes to get outside the pocket and make plays happen.

Why he shouldn’t return: Thigpen barely played this year, and that should tell you how much confidence the coaching staff has in him. They definitely will bring in one quarterback to compete with Henne, and might use the other spot on a rookie, or Pennington. Thigpen might have better options to play in 2011.

Verdict: Both sides should part ways. Thigpen, as intriguing as he is, isn’t the answer to solve the Dolphins’ problems. He should wait until after the NFL Draft and sign on with a team that missed out on a quarterback and is desperate.

RUNNING BACK

Ricky WilliamsWhy he should return: He’s still productive (4.2 yards per carry). He’s familiar with the team, coaching staff and fans. He’s a good leader-by-example for the younger players. And he can be had cheaply, and with little long-term commitment.

Why he shouldn’t return: He may have talked his way out of town with his comments last week about Tony Sparano’s “micromanaging” coaching style. He said he wants to go to a more positive environment. And the Dolphins could use some fresh legs after finishing 21st in rushing and 30th in yards per attempt.

Verdict: The Dolphins should try to bring Ricky back. They need a young, featured back, but Ricky would be a great No. 2, for the reasons mentioned above. Nothing he said last week can’t be smoothed over.

Ronnie BrownWhy he should return: He’s done a great job the last couple of years of being the face of the franchise, both as a leader in the locker room and through his foundation work off the field. He had arguably his worst season (734 yards, 5 TDs, 3.7 yards per carry) but he’s still got some good football left in him. He likes the area, and may be willing to give the Dolphins a hometown discount. And no one runs the Wildcat better than he does.

Why he shouldn’t return: The Dolphins need a speedy tailback, and that’s not Brown. They’re not addressing their primary needs if they bring him back to be a No. 1, and he likely wouldn’t want to come back in a reduced backup role. He can get more playing time elsewhere.

Verdict: Ronnie has had a great 6-year run, but it’s probably time to move on.

Lex Hilliard and Lousaka PoliteWhy they should return: Hilliard, a free agent, may finally get more action at running back if he returns and Ricky and Ronnie don’t. Plus, Hilliard has a comfortable role here on special teams, and may not want to leave for an uncertain role with another team. Polite, under contract for next year, is pretty much automatic on short-yardage runs.

Why they shouldn’t: With the Dolphins definitely looking to upgrade at running back, Hilliard might not be in the team’s plans, and could probably find a more expanded role on offense with another team. Polite, meanwhile, was one of the worst blocking fullbacks in the NFL last season, and can be upgraded.

Verdict: Dolphins should try to bring back Hilliard, and possibly make him the short-yardage running back. And they should try to upgrade at fullback, if they can.

WIDE RECEIVER

Marlon Moore and Roberto WallaceWhy they should return: One word: Potential. Wallace, at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, is oozing with it. He’s still raw, having not played the sport since he moved to America in high school, but if he can learn to tap into his potential, watch out. Moore, meanwhile, could be the vertical speedster the Dolphins desperately need. He’s the fastest receiver on the team, but admittedly didn’t play fast in his rookie season, as he was still learning the game.

Why they shouldn’t: The Dolphins could use another established veteran receiver, especially a vertical threat to complement Brandon Marshall, Davone Bess and Brian Hartline. Moore and Wallace have potential, but the Dolphins need to win in 2011, and could sacrifice a couple young players for guys who can have a bigger impact now.

Verdict: They should keep Wallace, if for no other reason than his presence as a big Red Zone target. But they should look for a better vertical threat than Moore. Kevin Curtis would have been perfect, but they released him three weeks ago.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Richie IncognitoWhy he should return: The Dolphins’ interior offensive line was shaky this year, but switching Incognito from guard to center, the position he played entering the league seven years ago, could shore up a lot of those problems. Good centers aren’t easy to find, and moving Incognito there would allow the Dolphins to take a stud guard early in the draft, and perhaps let John Jerry, Pat McQuistan and Nate Garner battle it out for the other guard spot. And Incognito, a free agent, likes it in Miami, likes the coaching staff and has learned to behave.

Why he shouldn’t: Incognito was part of the problem last year, though he’s better suited for center than guard. The Dolphins could make wholesale changes on the offensive line, in which case, Incognito might be looking for his fourth team in three seasons.

Verdict: The pros heavily outweigh the cons in this case. Contract talks are quiet, but once the CBA is signed, both sides need to make a deal. Dolphins should sign him for 2-3 years to anchor the line at center. With Jake Long and Vernon Carey manning the tackle spots, the Dolphins will need only to bring in one high-profile guard – either a free agent or through the draft – to shore up the line. John Jerry, Pat McQuistan and Nate Garner can battle it out for the other guard spot.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Tony McDanielWhy he should stay: Five-year veteran had his best season in 2010, finishing with a career high in tackles (36) and sacks (2.5) in limited snaps. He’s great against the run, and provides critical depth behind Kendall Langford and Randy Starks, allowing them to stay fresh throughout games.

Why he shouldn’t stay: He might be able to command more money on the open market and secure a guaranteed starting position elsewhere. And the Dolphins must be wary of the “contract year player.”

Verdict: Dolphins should re-sign him, but only if the price is right. Otherwise, his production can be replaced.

Paul SoliaiWhy he should stay: After three disappointing seasons, Soliai finally developed into a beast in the middle of the Dolphins’ defense, finishing with 30 tackles and two sacks, great numbers for a nose tackle who is supposed to do nothing more than handle two blockers. Soliai established a good role for himself in Miami, and good 3-4 nose tackles don’t exactly grow on trees.

Why he shouldn’t: As with McDaniel, beware the “contract year player.” Soliai was a bust in his first three years, always struggling with weight and motivation issues, until the light finally clicked on in 2010, which just so happened to be his contract year. Soliai wants to get paid, and the Dolphins are reluctant to hand over big money to a player with his history.

Verdict: Dolphins should definitely try to find a way to keep him, but they shouldn’t break the bank in guaranteed money. They should offer him a decent signing bonus to put a little money in his pocket and keep him happy, but then try to sign him to a deal with low base salaries and heavy on incentives, to keep him motivated.

INSIDE LINEBACKER

Channing CrowderWhy he should stay: The Dolphins’ run defense began the year by allowing 100-plus yards in three of its first four games – all with Crowder out of the lineup – but finished the season seventh overall and fourth in yards per carry (3.6). Crowder, under contract for one more year, is excellent in run coverage, and though he doesn’t make many impact plays that show up on the stat sheet, was the 17th-best inside linebacker out of 50 players last year, according to metrics compiled by the website Pro Football Focus.

Why he shouldn’t: Crowder, set to make about $2.5 million next year, is oft-injured and has just 2.5 sacks and one interception in six seasons. He also tends to run his mouth on the field, which has gotten the team in trouble in the past.

Verdict: The Dolphins should keep Crowder for 2011. He is far better than his backup, Tim Dobbins, and provides solid leadership on and off the field. But the Dolphins should also draft another inside linebacker to compete with injured rookie A.J. Edds next year and start preparing for life after Crowder.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

Quentin MosesWhy he should stay: Moses, an impending free agent, was fairly productive on a per-play basis, finishing with a career-high 18 tackles, one sack and six quarterback pressures. A major bust since being drafted in the third round in 2007 (and subsequently cut by two teams before coming to Miami), Moses saw his role increase as the 2010 season wore on, and still has the physical tools (6-5, 260) to be a productive outside linebacker.

Why he shouldn’t: The guy’s had his chances to prove himself in the NFL, and through four seasons, he hasn’t been able to develop into anything more than a part-time back-up.

Verdict: The Dolphins should look for a better backup to Cameron Wake.

CORNERBACK

Will Allen, Benny SappWhy they should stay: With two young starting corners, the Dolphins need a veteran to play the slot. Though Allen, 32, was placed on Injured Reserve last year following a knee scope, Allen felt he could’ve returned for 8-10 games and still has some good football left in him. Sapp, too, was a good influence on the young cornerbacks after being acquired to replace Allen, and is under contract next year for a reasonable salary ($1.9 million).

Why they shouldn’t: Allen is due $5.5 million, and after his disagreement with management last year about being placed on IR, it’s probably the two sides will go their separate ways. As for Sapp, the Dolphins simply can do better. He was nothing more than an extra part for the Vikings when the Dolphins traded Greg Camarillo for him, and he allowed 13.0 yards per catch last year while PFF ranked him 59th among 100 cornerbacks.

Verdict: The Dolphins should part ways with Allen and sign a free agent to replace Sapp at Nickel, but hold onto Sapp in case of injury or ineffectiveness.